Our Music Ministry is the heart of our Worship. The United Methodist church has a long history of expressing the Holy Spirit though worship music. We are proud to be able to continue that history in First United Methodist Church of DeRidder.

Our Music Ministry encourages many accomplished musicians in our worship all the way from the organ to the steel guitar and we have plenty of room to add your talent, too! We have a Music Ministry for everyone and we strongly encourage everyone to join their God given talents to our worship. If you have it on your heart to join our Music Ministry, please do. Our Music Ministry welcomes everyone and we have a lot of fun!

Praise Band

Rehearsal: Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 PM in the Main Sanctuary or in the Fellowship Hall,

depending on where worship will take place that week.

Anything goes in Praise Band as long as the Holy Spirit is expressed. Often you will hear harmonizing voices with guitars, piano and even drums or a banjo from time to time. Whatever your musical talents, you may find a place for them in the Praise Band.

Choir

Rehearsal: Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 PM in the Choir Rehearsal Room

Although the Choir often sticks to traditional hymns sung with the Organ, they are also known to sing a energizing gospel hymn or two as well. Whether it is a spiritual sung acapela or singing to a Bach arrangement, you will hear the enjoyment our Choir has in leading worship. The Choir is made up of members who have been Methodist all their lives and know every hymn and those who come from many different faiths who are learning a hymn every week.

Our Choir invites all voices to join them from 6th grade to Senior Citizen, no matter if you have joined us in worship for decades or have not had the chance to do so yet.

Hand Bell Choir 

The Handbell Choir has grown significantly, and is directed by our very own talented Mary Allen! The group typically plays for the congregation monthly and during special Sunday services. They meet for practice immediately followship worship service in the Sanctuary around 11:15 AM.

Children’s Choir

Rehearsal: Wednesday evenings at 4:45 to 5:15 PM PM in the Choir Room before Mid-Week Meal and Wednesday Children & Yotuh Activity in the Fellowship Hall. 

All Children from Kindergarten - 5th Grade.

Our Children’s Choir usually leads in a worship song once a month. Children’s Choir gives them the opportunity to learn how to contribute to worship and encourages our children to join the Choir as early as 6th grade. This is a beautiful way for them to experience the Holy Spirit expressed through their God given talents. They truly enjoy contributing to worship and they gain confidence by seeing how much our congregation enjoys their music. They are a highlight to worship and there is so much love felt during worship when they share their music with us!

Soloists:

We often have soloist musicians from every instrument, voice and style join us in worship. Whether it is preforming a piece that was composed by a local composer, preforming a well known piece in their own style, accompanying the Choir, or leading a worship song with the Choir with Praise Band and organ/piano accompanying, the soloist performance is always a wonderful addition to our worship service. The possibilities are endless, and if you are a musician that wants to share your God given talents at the church, we hope you will reach out to us.

Psalm 105:2

 “Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”